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India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.

Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.

Initial Hope Disappears

The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.

India were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard display in the two games against South Africa.

Several established players were damaged, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.

Concerning History

This represented the second clean sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost India a spot in the WTC final.

The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's chances of reaching the decider of this season as well.

After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.

Reasons for the Slump

The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.

In the 21st century, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.

Now, India seem beatable in their own backyard.

Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.

What Happened?

Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.

Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.

Even though there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.

Several Weaknesses

The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.

Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.

This was obvious in the displays of the team.

Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.

Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.

Coaching Scrutiny

The review also included just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.

At his post-series press